Welcome to the Orioles Nation Forums! Like most online communities, you must register to post on our message board. However, posting is free--it always will be--and registration is a simple process. Become part of the growing Orioles Nation community and register now!

I think on top of all the things that Jordan said I think this is the season where we determine what pieces we are going to build around. I am looking to see if Weiters continues the development we have seen thus far and works closer to the Mauer comparison everyone was giving him. Also, I want to see the development of Adam Jones. This season will show whether he is going to take his game to the next level or whether we made a mistake in not trading him this offseason. While a winning season would be nice after 14 losing seasons (I think I counted right) it is not what I am most concerned about. I want to see the development of the organization in a direction where the future is legitimately evaluated and the proper decisions are made so we can start worrying about how many consecutive winning season we can get.

I am most interested in seeing the continued development of Weiters. Already near the top of the AL list of C, I think this has the potential to be the year he puts up the big numbers.

I agree with Jordan on the young pitchers. Key seasons for Matusz, Tillman, Arrieta and Britton. Their development will play a key role in determining if 2014 can be a year that this club truly contends.

In the minors, I think the big key if how quickly do the 2011 draftees progress. As an organization that has a history of rushing prospects, but has spent the off season building minor league depth and re-organizing its development team, the progression of Bundy, Esposito and Delmonico will play a big part in the timing of the teams potential return.

In a perfect world…Davis and Reimold perform admirably in a full season at-bats.Chen and Wada pitch decently despite all the new challenges facing them in America. Johnson assumes the closer’s role as if it was his set-up role.B-Rob’s replacements (Andino, Antonelli, Flaherty, and Adams) hold up to at least replacement level.Adam Jones takes the next step and becomes a star.Tillman, Bergesen, and Matusz pitch well in the minors and force their way onto the big league roster.Machado and Schoop continue their development well.Dylan and Bobby Bundy pitch well at Delmarva and Bowie, respectively.

The resources, both in management and players, that Dan Duquette has brought in improve the overall structure of the Orioles from rookie ball to the Major League squad. This will give the Orioles a chance to be part of the off-season moves needed to get the club into contention. In short, improved depth throughout the entire Oriole's system would make this season a success.

Jordan pretty much covered my thoughts, but I just want to reiterate about the young pitching.

I NEED to see at least some form of prolonged success the entire season from at least two of them to deem this year a success. I essentially assume the offense will be decent enough this year. Nothing special, but not the reason the orioles are terrible.

MatuszBrittonArrietaBergesenTillmanChen (He is only 26, as old as Arrieta and Bergesen will be this season)

If 2 of them can provide the Orioles with good to excellent seasons, then I will deem this year a success. Because based off of last year, that would be a blessing.

I could care less what Hammel, Hunter, Wada do. I don't see them as any more than stop gaps honestly. Any true competing team would not have them as their 2-3-4 starters in the rotation

I dont see hunter as anything more than a 4-5 starter honestly. His ceiling is not as high as the others in my opinion.I obviously "care", I should have said It won't change my opinion on the season based off what he does.

thezeroes wrote:Understood. I see him as a three and an "Innings Eater" so we differ on the outlook. (Kevin Millwood clone) If nothing else he may be a piece to trade in 2014 for parts needed.

Yea I see him as an innings guy too. I just don't want to be overly optimistic about him. I think his good season in Texas, might have been his peak Which isn't a bad thing at all, but he was a very lucky pitcher that season. Hs FIP and xFIP were a run higher than his ERA. He got away with a lot in that 13-4 season, and had one of the best offenses in baseball to help him out.

He is a valuable piece to have on a club, but I don't think the Orioles should or could build around him.